Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha On Keeping Daughter Zuneyra Away From Paparazzi: ‘She Should Make That Choice’

Actor-couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal recently visited Delhi, marking their first trip away from their six-month-old daughter, Zuneyra Ida Ali, who stayed with her grandparents in Mumbai. Speaking in an exclusive interaction, the couple revealed they had initially planned to bring Zuneyra to Delhi but decided against it “because of the weather and the pollution.”

“As a Delhite, it breaks my heart,” Chadha shared, adding, “When I was studying here, the AQI was not even an issue. It was so green, and the route to my school in Lodhi Road was beautiful. Delhiites have to take concrete steps (to improve the situation).”

The couple also opened up about their new journey as parents, sharing their excitement about their daughter. “It’s a whole new universe in our lives. Obviously, the way we see and perceive cinema and storytelling has shifted a little. I don’t know how much, but it definitely has,” Fazal admitted.

When asked how life at home has changed with their daughter, Chadha shared, “It’s nice and peaceful.” She added, “I think we were prepped for the chaos. We have a great nanny and a great support system. Ali’s father and my mother are both there to support us. We are lucky in this aspect. It’s not wrong when people say that it takes a village to raise a child. It’s pretty accurate.”

The couple also spoke about their decision to keep Zuneyra away from the paparazzi. On being asked why they have requested the paparazzi not to click their daughter, and whether their stance might change, Chadha responded, “Soon to pata nahi but I would never want her to be clicked.” Fazal added, “At least until she is capable of making those choices for herself. We don’t know how she will feel when she grows up. Kya pata humein hi gaaliyan padegi (laughs).”

The duo announced Zuneyra’s birth in July through a heartfelt social media post. When asked who is the more hands-on parent, Chadha quickly replied, “Both of us are, but in our own ways.” She added, “I am surprised at how equal (sharing responsibilities) it has turned out for us, and I am so glad. It allows me a great deal of relief. Initially, when I started feeding her, I had this feeling ‘main iss kamre se bhi bahar niklungi ke nahi’ but Ali has been a wonderful, steady, and equal partner. Whether it is the burping, or just reading to her, he’s been fantastic.” Fazal, brimming with enthusiasm, chimed in, “Game on man!”

On the professional front, Richa Chadha was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar. She is now gearing up for her upcoming film, Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, alongside Pankaj Tripathi and Shriya Pilgaonkar. She also has Covid Stories, directed by Abhishek Acharya and Raj Rishabh, in the pipeline.

Ali Fazal, on the other hand, has an exciting slate of projects. He will appear in Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino alongside Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. He will also co-star with Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the period fantasy thriller Rakht Brahmand, helmed by Raj & DK. Other projects include Lahore 1947 and Thug Life.